Jean Harris, Slayer of Diet Doctor, Asks Cuomo for Clemency
Jean Harris, the former girls’ school headmistress who is serving a 15-year prison term for slaying diet doctor Herman Tarnower, again has asked Gov. Mario M. Cuomo for clemency, it was reported today.
In her petition, Harris’ lawyers asked Cuomo to take into account her age and health, her contributions to teaching and caring for the health of other prisoners, possible errors at her trial and the fact that she was addicted to amphetamines when she killed Tarnower, the New York Times reported.
Hundreds of friends, colleagues and others wrote the governor to support Harris in her bid for clemency, the newspaper said.
Harris, 66, who has suffered two heart attacks since being imprisoned in 1981, has made previous petitions for clemency but they were rejected.
Cuomo traditionally announces decisions to grant clemency during the Christmas season.
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